I'm so happy to finally share pic's of my new apartment with you! I couldnt have asked for a better place!

Whe I first began, I was aiming for slightly different look. I really wanted a lot of purple, but i ended up with a mostly blackand white color scheme with purple colored accents.  Because I have so little color in the main room, I decided to explode with color in the kitchen. I'm still adding as I go but I'm pleased with how everything has come together so far.

My builiding is currently undergoing some renovations, so It's becoming clear to me that I couldnt have moved in at a better time (altough i'm sure the rent will go up after my first year lease is up). They installed harwood and new lighting in all the halways. I hope that the outdoor communal area get redone by next summer!

Anyway, I love my little unit. I think the rounded shape (see below)  makes it really unique, and it's so large and spacey. Although i had to let Coco (my puppy) go, I think i may adopt a cat soon (i've already paid the pet deposit - cant just let that go to waste). Let me know what you think!

Don't you just love Fashion Week??? I do! I love trying to keep up with all the runway trends, celeb sightings and special events. Notice i said "try" because there is just too much going on and not enough time in the day! From sun-up to sun-down (and well into the night) Fashion Week is HAPPENING!

Today is not only  the first offcical day of Fashion Week but tonight another special event will take place and that is Fashion's Night Out hosted by Vogue and the Council of Fashion Designers of America. Various retailers in New York and L.A will host in-store events featuring food & drink, demonstrations and style advice. Maybe you've seen your favorite fashionista sporting one of the awesome t-shirts? The events were designed to increase retail sails which, as you know, are slumping due to the poor economy. Maybe Fashion's Night Out will get shoppers shopping again!

In other fashion news, last night was the premiere of America's Next Top Model the Petite Edition, featuring wannbe models all under 5'7. It's already looking like it's going to be an interesting season. I havent watched ANTM in about 3 seasons, and I know this was meant to increase ratings, but nevertheless, I'm watching.

Last but not least, tomorrow the much anticpiated documentary The Spetember Issue is coming to a theater near you, unless you are one of the few who got to catch and early screening. So far the reviews have been raving. Cant wait! They've also just announced a special midnight premiere at the Arclight Cinemas.... ooooh.

Okie Dokie. I'm going to share the secret to my attempts to keeping up with the slightly overwhelming Fashion Week goings-on - the internet!

Fashion Week Daily

LA Times Image

Glam

FabSugar

DailyCandy Dossier

My Fashion Life

As you will soon learn, I LOVE the Fall. New York is so lucky because they have my idea of the perfect fall season - Leaves falling, nippy weather good for a nice warm coat and boots -  pretty much the opposite of fall in L.A.

And it's not just the weather - with fall comes new everything. New music, great movies, new school semester and new seasons of my favorite TV shows! Yeah the second season of True Blood ends next week, but that's OK because I've got other shows to obsess over - Ugly Betty and Gossip Girl (both of which are set in New York). In addition, I'm also excited to check out the return of Melrose Place and The Vampire Diaries.

Let us not forget that we are finally being blessed with the much anticipated documentary, The Septembe Issue! The buzz is unbearable, I really cant wait. Also, we'll get to swoon over Taylor Lautner in the second movie from the Twilight saga, New Moon (my favorite of all four books! go team Jacob!).

I get like this at the end of every summer. I obsess over what fall clothes I'm going to buy, eagerly awaiting the day where I can pull out my warm quilt, rain boats and my lovely fall coats. And, every fall I am slightly let down because L.A wont allow me the fall I've always dreamed of. Ugh! New York is so lucky!

In the mean time I've been having a little fall fun over at Polyvore - I made this cute little set inspired by my favorite season and one of my favorite shows! Enjoy! 

My friend and designer DaShone is the fashionable artist behind DaShAppeal clothing and she very recently had an exciting photo shoot featuring her newest designs and two very beautiful upcoming models, Chanan and Alexia. I've featured DaShAppel on LuxeDelux before and have been waiting for another opportunity to do so. The photos, shot by Martha Mejia, look fantastic and will be featured on FashionBerry.com. We are all very excited for DaSh! Follwer her on Twitter! See the rest of the pics from the shoot here.

Moving to West LA is probably one of the greatest decisions i ever made.... i love my new neighborhood but the best thing about it are the tiny things here and there that add character to the city. Like the small dance studio just up the street - where im considering enrolling in jazz and hip-hop classes -  Pulp, the stationary and gift shop, and the La Brea Bakery.

But what has been most intriguing to me is the street art that appears, as if from nowhere, on a particular building near my apartment. I first took notice when a mural of Kobe Bryant appeared after the Lakers won the championship title. I naively thought it might actually be something funded by the city.

I was both fascinated and touched when just a few days after Michael Jackson's death, Kobe disappeared and in his place was a simple painting in tribute to the legend. Every time i would drive by, i check to make sure its still there, and not replaced by some other pop culture fixation As of today it was still there, but I know it wont be forever. But, i think it's so cool that something like this exists within walking distance from my house.

After some tedious Internet searching (google and some street art blogs), I was able to track down the brilliance behind this art - the artist is Mr. Brainwash. I'm trying to piece together the little bit of info that i have been able to find about him, but it appears that Mr. Brainwash began as a film maker, and later transitioned into graffiti art. Much of his art focuses on pop culture icons including Marilyn Monroe, Elvis, Andy Warhol, President Obama (he's behind the infamous Obama as Superman) and Michael Jackson. He's even sold some of his art to MJ.

You can purchase some of his canvas paintings on his website, check him out on Facebook, and of course read about his doings on the art blogs OMG Posters, Obey and Unurth.

With Wedding Season in full swing, I wanted to take a moment to remind you all about LuxeDelux wedding and event planning. Trust me, it is a big relief to have some one outside of your family or friends step in and help take the pressure off. From full-service event planning to "day of" coordination, If you live in Southern California and know someone who is getting married this summer/fall, I'd love to help. I've got tons of contacts in the industry (DJ's, florists, photographers), a lot of great ideas and inspiration, and am a magician when it comes to turning ideas in reality. Send me a private messege for more details!

the past month has been a whirlwind, and yet I dont feel like I've been doing much! My sister recently announced that she's moved her wedding date up (again) so I have been busy planning her "flirty French" themed bridal shower. May have noticed that i do a lot of french themed parties. Because of the short notice and very small budget much of it has been DYI, but I've never lacked in the creativity department so It's coming nicely.

Congratulations to my younger borther, who completed his first year of the 100 Black Men of Orange County program. His Rite of Passage ceremony was a few weeks ago and it was very nice. the venue was beautiful and got me wondering if they do any wedding ceremonies there.

My birthday came and went on the 12.... really an unmemorable event, but I got to show off my new apartment to some of my closest girl friends, and now you with the pic below.

Unfortunately, I had a death in the family. My grandfathers older sister Mattie passed away at 87, the last of 14 children! Up until early this year she lived a very full life, until she was diagnosed with cancer that spread very rapidly. Last weekend I drove down to San Diego for the funeral, and while it was a sad event I got to catch up with some family that i hadnt seen in a while.

I had a foiled attempt to see Drakeperform at a Hollywood club last week. Since his concert was sold out, LA promoters begin advertising that he would perform at club Element post-concert. My first instinct told me it was BS, and at most he would only be making a scheduled appearance, but a friend told me that they knew for sure he would performing, so I bought 3 pre-sale tickets online.

We were duped! Element was outrageously packed. Street was lined with people who had pre-sale tickets and many who did not. My friends and I managed to get in and have a smashing good time, but I know several people who bought tickets in advance who did not get in. As it turned out, I was correct about it only being a scheduled appearance, Drake did not perform and he ended up leaving as soon as he arrived because apparently the promoters tried to play him as well. Drizzy actually ended up addressing the whole situation on his blog.

Better luck next time.

I have also been reading like crazy this month. I went in to borders with no real idea of what book I wanted to purchase, ended up leaving with The Lost Art of Keeping Secrets by Eva Rice, and it actually turned out to be one of the best books I have read in a while. Last weekend i got a 40% off coupon from Borders (score!) and bought two more books The Summer of Naked Swim Parties by Jessica Anya Blau and Lust Loathing and a Little Lip Gloss by Kyra Davis.

Lastly, as much I tried to pay attention the the NBA finals I finally got sucked in. So every night I eat dinner with Kobe and Carmelo or Lebron and Dwight. I hope the Cavaliers pull through. And I've added Delonte West to the list of Cleveland Cavaliers id like to marry. That makes 2.

pictures:

  My beautiful apartment before the birthday festivities, and my friend LuLu poppin the Champagne!

The Lines (in both directions) outside of Element of people trying to see Drake

and inside the club

and I'm so sure that this is Miguel Nunez of "Juwanna Mann" fame in there tryin to see drizzy too

So we are back here again. I've already discussed the fact that everyone in LA wears high heeled shoes everywhere, but I'm starting to notice that it's not just that. Women, especially in my new west LA neighborhood, actually roam the street looking like models. Yesterday, i ran to the grocery store to grab breakfast- Ugg boots, sweats and all - and as I crusing down the ailes looking for yogart the model creature just stalks by. Very tall, amazon, willowy hair and dressed to the nine's. I'm thnking to myself it's 9 am, how can you possibly be dressed like that?

I started thinking that when you are a model, it is your job to look your best at all times. You never know who you may run into. But what if youre not a model? Even if your not on the clock you should still always strive to look your best. I may not be signed to Ford or IMG but why should that stopme? I can be a show stopper too. Now i can promise that I will wear heels to the grocery store, but i've decided to intergrate the following looks into my life by the time summer hits.

1. More heels! I know ive made this promis before, but really, I'm going to make it work.

2. Red lips. I'm starting to see them more and more on young women (see pics below) so im on a quest to find the perfect red matte or stain color for me.

3. Patterns. Patterns have always scared me. I stay away from them because i have no idea what to do with them. I feel safe in solid colors that I can pair together, but not anymore!

4. Dresses. I had a peak in dresses last year. I went from no dresses at all to owning quite a few but I am back in a no-dress-slump. So i vow to catch up on dresses again.

Watch out world here i come!